By Barbara Todd, President

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and joyful New Year. Our holiday potluck was a big success. The food was delicious and the company great. Thanks to Jill and her crew for set-up and the lovely decorations and to Pam Schenk for picking up the poinsettias for our tables and raffle. Our annual slide show was delayed to a future meeting due to technical difficulties. A special thanks to Alice Affleck, our District Director, for installing this year’s officers and
board members.

As we start another year, we face one of the most important tasks in the rose growing cycle. It is time to begin pruning and stripping the leaves from your roses. Correct pruning now will produce a nicely shaped rose bush in the spring graced with beautiful flowers.

Any newer members not familiar with this ritual, or those in need of a refresher, should be sure to attend our next Membership meeting on January 16th. The proper technique for pruning roses will
be demonstrated, and the correct tools for the job will also be explained. If you have container roses, bring some for the demonstrators to prune. As you know, Roger Reynolds has closed so we will not be demonstrating there, so be sure to attend the Membership meeting.

I look forward to serving as your President for a second year, with my capable officers and board. I hope your holidays were filled with joy and warmth, and wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

“They are not long, the days of wine and roses. Out of a misty dream, our path emerges for a while, then closes, within a dream.”
― Ernest Dowson, The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson